According to Expedia\u2019s Vacation Deprivation Report, released today, Canadians take on average, seven more vacation days annually than their American neighbors. In fact, 58 per cent of Canadians reported feeling vacation deprived (defined as the feeling of not having enough time off) compared to 65 per cent of Americans \u2013 a difference of seven per cent. The annual report has been analyzing time-off trends around the world for 24 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite this, less than half (45 per cent) of Canadians used all their vacation days in 2023 and only a quarter have already booked or taken vacation in the current year. With rates down in many other parts of the world, it\u2019s clear working adults in North America could benefit from adopting some of the time-off strategies and attitudes in other countries.\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lessons in Leisure<\/strong>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2024 report found that American and Japanese workers take a similar number of days off each year (11 and 12 respectively), but surprisingly Japan boasts the lowest vacation deprivation levels in the world (53 per cent). France and Hong Kong take nearly a month off annually while Americans struggle to use up just 12 days. And, compared to the rest of the world, Canadians are slightly more likely to go a year or more between vacations (21 per cent vs. 18 per cent globally).\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n For Canadians, hoarding time off in case of an emergency was the number one reason vacation days were left on the table last year, whereas American\u2019s felt life was too busy to plan or take vacation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe may not be able to control how many days off we get, but the research begs the question: What can we learn from other countries that will help Canadians use their time off to the fullest extent,\u201d said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations. \u201cIn Japan, people take time off every month instead of just twice a year. For the French, a full month of vacation still doesn\u2019t feel like enough time. Clearly there\u2019s a lot to borrow from, whether it\u2019s spreading your PTO throughout the year or prioritizing rest on your next vacation.\u201d\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Holiday Habits From Around the World<\/strong>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Japan<\/strong>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Takeaways from the least vacation-deprived country in the world:\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n France<\/strong>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n No one vacations quite like the French, taking the most days off of any country globally. Here\u2019s their formula:\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Other Time-Off Champions Around the World<\/strong>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo one means to leave vacation days behind, but life gets busy and it\u2019s the research, planning and booking part that slows us down,\u201d says Fish. \u201cSome 47 per cent of Canadians say they feel overwhelmed by the process, but the good news is, in 2024 there\u2019s tech that makes it easier. If it\u2019s flight prices keeping you up at night, Price Tracking in the app helps members book without the stress and get to the fun part \u2014 vacation.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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